Click on the link for the full article and pictures of the groundbreaking ceremony.

Quote:

Magic & Co. get ball rolling at Block 21

Groundbreaking for downtown development brings out ex-NBA star.

By Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Saturday, October 13, 2007

NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson on Friday helped kick off the official groundbreaking of Block 21, the downtown development that's getting $50 million from his private equity fund. It's the first investment in Austin for his Los Angeles-based fund, but Johnson said it won't be the last.

^ You gotta love Magic Johnson. Not many professional athletes make a successful, high-profile transition into the business world outside of sports broadcasting. He's becoming as good of a developer as he was a player.

Here's a render to go along with the article.

__________________"Then each time Fleetwood would be not so much overcome by remorse as bedazzled at having been shown the secret backlands of wealth, and how sooner or later it depended on some act of murder, seldom limited to once."

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Austin-based Stratus Properties (NASDAQ: STRS - News) is partnering with the Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund to provide the equity for Block 21, a $250 million mixed-use development in downtown Austin. The project includes a 250-room W Hotel® and 200 residential condominiums, a new home for the world-renowned Austin City Limits television studio, as well as a 2,200 seat live music venue, the Austin Children's Museum Dell Discovery Center, retail space, restaurants and an open-air public plaza.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Canyon-Johnson on this exciting project," said Beau Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of Stratus. "We are on track to break ground in September of this year, and believe this development will be a major stimulus to the continuing growth of downtown Austin."

"Austin is a growing, dynamic and entertaining city," said Earvin "Magic" Johnson. "We are committed to creating opportunities for the people in Austin, and making sure that Block 21 reaches its fullest potential."

Canyon-Johnson's Managing Partner Bobby Turner added "Block 21, our first investment in Austin, is exactly the type of exciting revitalization that we have had success with nationwide."

The Canyon-Johnson/Stratus partnership also plans to make Block 21 a model for environmentally sustainable design. The project is expected to secure the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Platinum certification, putting it among the first mixed-use developments built to this extraordinary environmental standard anywhere in the world.

"We couldn't be happier working with the Stratus team on this unique project," said Canyon-Johnson Director Neville Rhone. "Stratus has assembled an incredible team that will create a truly irreplaceable destination in downtown Austin."

Folk icon Willie Nelson and nephew Freddy Fletcher are partners in the music venue. In 1974, Nelson taped the pilot performance for Austin City Limits, paving the way for this longstanding innovative music program that is now a staple of the Public Broadcasting Service. "Our family has long ties to KLRU and Austin City Limits and we are proud to be involved in this project," Fletcher said.

The planned 35-story structure features the W Hotel® on the lower floors and 200 residential condominiums on the upper floors. The first four floors will contain lobby areas for the hotel and residences, retail space with street frontage, a spa, swimming pool and pool terrace. Condominium owners will enjoy unprecedented access to five-star W Hotel® amenities such as concierge services, valet parking, room and housekeeping services, and in-home spa services.

Construction of the project is scheduled to commence in September 2007, with pre-sales for the condominiums beginning in June 2007. The transaction is subject to the execution of definitive agreements.

About Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds

The Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds (Canyon-Johnson) are the country's largest private real estate funds focused on the development of urban properties in underserved neighborhoods. A joint venture between Canyon Capital Realty Advisors and Earvin "Magic" Johnson's Johnson Development Corporation, the funds were formed to identify, enhance and capture value through the development and redevelopment of real estate in densely populated, ethnically diverse urban communities. The Funds' objectives are to seek current income and capital appreciation and, in addition to meeting investment goals, the funds are committed to providing for and fostering economic opportunities for the residents of the urban neighborhoods in which Canyon-Johnson invests. With nearly $1 billion in committed equity capital, the funds are positioned to facilitate more than $4 billion in development and revitalization in major U.S. metropolitan areas. For more information, visit www.cjuf.com.

About Stratus Properties

Stratus Properties engages in the acquisition, development, management and sale of commercial and residential real estate. Known for the quality of the communities that it builds, Stratus relies on careful planning and attention to detail to create settings that make living, playing and working more enjoyable. Stratus Properties is a publicly traded company and is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol STRS. Learn more at www.stratusproperties.com.

I just noticed that those new renderings show it to be taller. By the way, the original height was 432 feet and some odd inches. This updated design is nice too, but I actually really liked the original design, especially the windows.

so it seems like Austin Dallas and San Antonio have a W in the works...just to clearify that ist the W Hotel right?

Dallas' is complete...Austin's broke ground on Oct. 12 (2010 delivery)...and there are no current plans (at least publically) for a site in San Antonio. However, there were rumors several months ago and an announcement for a new downtown "luxury hotel" was scheduled for June 1, 2007 - but nothing ever happened. I think a W, on the Riverwalk, would be great for San Antonio. Just not sure if it will happen in the near future. We'll see...

I guess it hasn't exactly started construction just yet. Picture taken looking over the fence from the southeast corner of the block.

I also happened to walk past the sales office which is on the southern end of the block. They have a model inside. They were closed, so I didn't get a chance to go in, but I took the below shots through the window. Sorry for the blur, the glares were messing with it.

My gripe with this building is the flat roof. Everything else is at least OK, but I'm just not sure a flat roof will look good in Austin. I see that flat roof as a blank canvas. Anything would be better up there than nothing. It's one thing to have a glass curtain skyscraper with a flat roof, that looks good actually. But this building's roof needs something. Not a spire either, but some kind of decorative top.

I kind of dig the minimalistic direction personally. After all the sleek buildings you will get in Austin soon this is the one that will stand out the most I think they thought that out.
But I do hope SA's goes all out....